Hi, I'm Hedy Yudaw.
I’m an animation artist and a member of the Truku people (Seejiq Truku→) from Taiwan.
I began working in animation in Taiwan in the late 1980s, first on Japanese productions and later on American animated shows. After moving to the U.S., I eventually found my way back to animation, studying Character Animation at CalArts and later earning my MFA from UCLA.
Over the years, I’ve worked in background painting, background design, color design, and visual development. My credits include Rick and Morty, Solar Opposites, Green Eggs and Ham, and Jellystone!, along with projects for Disney Television Animation, Warner Bros. Animation, Starburns Industries, Titmouse, Nickelodeon, and 20th Television Animation.
Maybe it makes sense that I ended up working on backgrounds. I’ve always been drawn to the things around the main story — a place, a small detail, something quiet that might otherwise be missed.
I’m currently developing my first independent animated short under the artist name Purung. In Truku, Purung means “owl,” and it was also my mother’s Truku name. I chose it in her memory, and to carry something of her with me into my work.
I’m still moving along, slowly maybe, and seeing what I find on the way.
Member, The Animation Guild (Local 839)
Featured in Keyframe Magazine, the official publication of The Animation Guild.